Time-controlling mechanism for phonographs.



No. 756,017. PATENTED MAR. 29, 1904. J. E. HETT. TIME CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 29, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

" Inventor.

- Witnesses.

Patented March 29, 1904.

JOHN E.'HETT, OF BERLIN, CANADA.

TIME-CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,017, dated March 29, 1904.

Application filed January 29, 1903. Serial No. M1082. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN E. HETT, M. B., a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Berlin, in the county of Waterloo, Province of Ontario, and Dominion of Canada, have invented a certain new and useful Improved Automatic Mechanism for Starting Phonographs or the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an automatic mechanism for starting phonographs or the like; and it consists of a clock mechanism having operative connection to a phonograph or the like and adapted to start the same at a predetermined time.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient means for automatically starting a phonograph or the like at a definite predetermined time.

The invention also relates to certain details of construction, all of which will be fully and clearly hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, consisting of one sheet, which discloses a preferred adaptation of the invention, and in which Figure 1 represents a vertical section through the inclosing case to expose the improved mechanism, also showing a side elevation of a phonograph and a cord connecting the starting mechanism thereto, the operating-lever being shown in its normal position in full lines and in starting position in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line a a, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragment of the operating-lever in section with the screw-bar and adjusting-nut in proper position. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detached View of the operating-lever. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view to illustrate the pulley and the manner of supporting the cord thereby.

The mechanism in the preferred adaptation is inclosed within a fancy or ornamental case 1, having a base 2, and consists of a clock 3 of the ordinary and well-known alarm variety, a lever 4:, adapted to be tripped by the alarmkey 5 of the clock, and a cord 6 or other means operatively connecting the lever to the starting and stopping lever 7 of a phonograph or the like. The phonograph is detachably connected to the clock mechanism, so that it can be easily disconnected when desired for various purposes.

The clock 3 is fastened in place in the inclosing case in substantially the position shown in Fig. 1 by cleats or brackets 8, which are secured to the base by screws 9, and has the usual small indicating-dial 10 on the back,with the usual indicating-hand 11 for setting the alarm to the proper hour desired, the usual alarm-winding key 5, clock-winding key 13, and time-regulating knob 14. The alarm bell and striker are preferably removed from the clock, as they are not ordinarily needed in addition to the phonograph when the mechanism is used in connection .with a phonograph or the like.

The lever4: is pivoted at or near its middle to the upper end of a vertical support or bar 15, which is rigidly fastened to the base by screws 16, and has the under surface of one end beveled, as shown at 17 and arranged to project within range of the alarm-key 5, so that the backward rotation of the alarm-key when the alarm is set off will elevate or trip the beveled end of the lever 4:. The opposite end of the lever 1 is provided with an eye 18, to which one extremity of the cord 6 is fastened, said cord extending upward and bending over a pulley 19, journaled on a pintle 20 and arranged in an opening 21 in the side wall of the inclosing case 1, and thence to the starting-lever 7 of the device it is desired to start, which in this instance is a phonograph of the well-known construction, the opposite end of the cord being preferably provided with a.

ring 22, which fits over the lever 7, substantially as shown, so that it may be easily and quickly attached or detached.

A spring device is provided for the purpose of aiding the alarm-key in operating the lever 4E and preferably consists of a coil-spring 23, which is fastened at its lower end to the base 2 and at its upper end to the lower extremity of a screw-bar 2 1, which passes through a vertical opening in the lug 1 of the lever 4:. A screw-nut 25 is fitted upon the uppor portion of the screw-bar 24 and serves to adjust the bar, and thereby regulate the tension of the spring to the strength of the pull required to move the lever 7 of the phonograph.

The inclosing case is provided with a re movable or hinged side or lid 26, which can be removed or lifted to expose the mechan' ism for setting, adjusting, or repairing the same.

The operation of the device is as follows: The alarm indicating-hand 10 being set to point to the hour desired on the dial 1()for instance, six oelock, as shown in Fig. 1-the alarm is set off When that hour arrives, and the alarmqvinding key 5 revolves in the direction indicated by the arrow V in Fig. 1, striking the beveled end of the lever 4 and elevating it. This tips the opposite end of the lever and pulls on the cord 6, which moves the starting-lever 7 of the phonograph or like machine and starts the same.

The chief advantage of this device is that the phonograph can be easily connected to or disconnected from the starting mechanism, so that it can be used separately, if desired.

1 claim as my invention In a device of the cha 'acter described, a casing, a motor therein having a suitable trip, a lever having one end actuated by the trip, a post to Which the lever is pivoted, a lug formed on the lever, a hook having a shank extending through the lug of the lever, a spring attached to the hook and to an eye in the bottom of the casing, a pulley mounted in a recess of the Wall of the casing, a flexible connec tion run over the pulley, a graphophone-casing, a pulley therein over Which the flexible connection is run and a starting-lever to Which the flexible connection is attached.

JOHN E. HETT.

Witnesses:

W. M. CRANE, CHAs. KNnei-rrnn. 

